travel

Letter: A Lake-friendly kick-off to boating season

Whether you live here in Tahoe or can’t wait until it’s safe to visit, we’re all anxious for a return to normalcy. This time of year, that means getting boats on the Lake's beautiful blue waters - while ensuring that you, me and Lake Tahoe stay healthy. To Keep Tahoe Blue, we must protect it from harmful invasive species. Weeds, fish and other invasive organisms can cloud the Lake’s clear waters, encourage toxic algae blooms, and damage Tahoe’s ecological balance. In short, invasive species turn Tahoe green.

Visitors to Lake Tahoe are encouraged to follow stay-at-home guidelines

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The messaging from the state, county, and city has been consistent throughout the coronavirus pandemic: This is not the time to travel to South Lake Tahoe. Nevada has also sent out the same message as a ban on nonessential travel that was created to prevent the spread of COVID-19 between communities.

Heavenly Village reopening Memorial Day Weekend with music, food and sidewalk sale

Event Date: 
Repeats every day until Sun May 24 2020 .
May 22, 2020 (All day)
May 23, 2020 (All day)
May 24, 2020 (All day)

The Heavenly Village in South Lake Tahoe is reopening over the Memorial Day Weekend and having a four-day celebration after being closed since March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"We are excited to have the village open and operating," said Heavenly Village VP Gary Casteel, Jr-. "I cannot stress the level of excitement I have received from our tenants to safely re-open. A special thank you to mayor pro-tem Tami Wallace for all of her support in the re-opening.”

Westbound I-80 lanes to close overnight for roadwork

Caltrans will continue overnight paving work along an approximate three-mile stretch of westbound Interstate 80 near Colfax Wednesday, May 20, requiring a full overnight closure of the westbound lanes.

Paving work is scheduled overnight Wednesday, May 20 and Thursday, May 21 from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Martin Brothers Construction of Sacramento will be repaving westbound lanes of the interstate between Rollins Lake Road and the State Route 174 junction in Colfax; an area known as the Colfax Narrows.

Detours from Interstate 80 will be in place during the westbound closure:

Lake Tahoe boat ramps to start opening up for boats not needing inspection

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Boat ramps around Lake Tahoe will start opening this week, but at this time only vessels with an intact Lake Tahoe inspection seal can launch and no uninspected vessels from outside the Tahoe Region will be able to get on the water.

Virtual Sierra watercolor series of classes taught by South Lake Tahoe artist

South Lake Tahoe artist Gina Stowell will be leading a watercolor series for the Sierra Nevada Alliance that will explore how to draw and watercolor paint the beautiful landscapes, migrating songbirds, and wildflowers of the Sierra Nevada.

This will be done virtually so open to anyone who signs up.

This will be a series of three 90-minute classes held once a week. Participants can either sign up for one class or the series of three classes. Each class costs $20 and the series of three classes is $50.

All proceeds will support the Sierra Nevada Alliance’s work.

Column: Summer outdoor plan critical to COVID management

Ambiguity, uncertainty, and contradictions abound in this pandemic. Add time to the list of contradictions swirling around us. Morning and night sometimes seem a week apart. The first month of shelter‐in‐place dripped by for many of us. The second month was gone before we knew it. And now summer is fast approaching. We welcome the season because in ordinary times it can elevate our well‐being, but these are not ordinary times. With most of the attention and intensity now on reopening, the question that hangs in the balance is, are we ready? Is it the right time?

Fanny Bridge replacement in 2022; Work on first phase of two new roundabouts finishes in 2020

NORTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - If you've been on SR89 near Tahoe City lately you've noticed the new roundabout that was installed south of the Fanny Bridge near the transit station. A new bridge over the Truckee River was also created during the first stage of the SR89/Fanny Bridge Revitalization Project which included another roundabout on the west end of Tahoe City on SR89.

Full closure of US50 over Echo Summit moved to after Labor Day

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A planned full closure of US50 over Echo Summit for the Sidehill Viaduct Replacement Project has been postponed to after Labor Day, 2020.

Caltrans made the announcement on Thursday that construction has not progressed enough to where the bridgework requiring a full closure could not be completed by June 15.

A full closure of Highway 50 is not permitted between June 15 and Labor Day due to high traffic volumes expected during the peak summer season in South Lake Tahoe.

Lake Tahoe's East Shore Trail now has new interpretive features

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - The Tahoe East shore Trail has become an interpretive trail after 23 new educational signs were installed thanks to funds from the NV Energy Foundation. The signs provide information on regional history, the environment, and local wildlife.

The popular trail runs between Incline Village and Sand Harbor State Park with parking on SR28 at Tunnel Creek in Incline.

City Council amends emergency ordinance that fined second homeowners

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The City Council voted Tuesday to amend their Emergency Order No. 1 from April that authorized administrative citations and fines of $1,000 for violations of the Governor's Stay at Home Order.

The City will not be fining second homeowners who visit their home in South Lake Tahoe but they will continue to fine those found renting out vacation homes until the Governor's ban on non-essential travel is amended.

South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County can move ahead in reopening phase

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - California Governor Gavin Newsom has given El Dorado County the go-ahead to move fully into Stage 2 of the reopening phases. They joined Butte County to became the first two counties in the state to be allowed to move forward.

While businesses can start to reopen, there is still a statewide ban on nonessential travel. Second-home owners are still asked to respect that order and come to South Lake Tahoe to check their homes, or quarantine upon arrival. Vacation rentals are still not allowed in this stage.

South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County businesses move towards green light on reopening

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - Many South Lake Tahoe businesses will be able to open soon, but not until they have plans in place that comply with the State’s COVID-19 guidelines and the State approves and publishes the public health director's signed Variance Attestation and supporting documents.

Prescribed burn operations at Sugar Pine, Glenbrook and Zephyr Cove

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District (TDFPD) and California State Parks will conduct understory burns at Lake Tahoe in the coming days.

TDFPD is planning on burning in Glenbrook on May 12 and in Zephyr Cove on May 20, 2020. State Paks is planning on burning at Sugar Pine Point State Park on the West Shore on May 11 and May 18. Both are weather permitting and smoke be visible.

Glenbrook - Burn Type: Hand Piles, Total Acreage: 3.00
Zephyr Cove - Warrior Way, Burn Type: Understory, Total Acreage: 2.00

South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County prepare to enter reopening stage

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Plans for the partial reopening of South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County are in the works, with the Board of Supervisors voting on a plan during a special meeting Friday, May 8, starting at 8:30 a.m.

During a Special City Council meeting Wednesday, the council put their support behind what the county decides so all can be on the same page and not confuse residents and visitors with separate rules.

Governor outlines guidelines for reopening Nevada with phase one Saturday

Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak has unveiled his plan for the state to reopen under phase one starting May 9, 2020. Outdoor malls, restaurants, hair salons, and barber shops are among those able to reopen with new standards for safety.

"We must stay safe so we can stay open," said Sisolak of the ability to move into phase 2 by the end of May, or sooner.

"The beginning of the reopening of our economy is not the end of the coronavirus," said Sisolak during a press conference Thursday afternoon. "It's still with us, as strong as ever. It will not go away until there's a vaccine."

Letter: South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce offers leaders suggestions on reopening

The following is a letter sent to El Dorado County and City of South Lake Tahoe. It is published here in its entirety at the request of the author.

The South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce would like to offer encouragement and support of a revival of the local economy, while continuing to keep the health and safety of our residents in mind. Cases of COVID-19 have remained low in our region when compared to other more populated areas around the State and Nation. We applaud the quick action taken by the County and City that has helped us keep the case count low.

City of South Lake Tahoe special meeting to request Governor Newsom allow a phased reopening

Event Date: 
May 6, 2020 - 9:00am

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - City Council will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, May 6 at 9:00 a.m. with a single agenda item: Authorization of a letter signed by Mayor Jason Collin to California Governor Gavin Newsom to request approval for the City of South Lake Tahoe for its transition to Phase 2 of re-opening the County of El Dorado and City of South Lake Tahoe for individuals and businesses.

Lake Tahoe Community College one of two new free COVID-19 testing sites in county

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County officials announced Sunday they will open two appointment-only community sites for COVID-19 testing for any resident wanting to be tested for the virus, one in South Lake Tahoe and the other in Shingle Springs.

These sites follow Governor Newsom's announcement last week to add more than 80 community COVID-19 testing sites across the state, focusing on underserved communities. His goal is to test 60,000 to 80,000 people per day for the virus as the state prepares to reopen.

Placer County reminds would-be visitors that non-essential travel to Lake Tahoe still under state's orders

NORTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With Placer County’s local health order expiring May 2, county officials and the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association are reminding would-be-visitors that while they are preparing now for when North Tahoe reopens, that date still depends on the state’s timeline for loosening physical distancing requirements.

Prescribed burn operations resume on Lake Tahoe's northwest shore

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) has resumed prescribed fire operations in the Tahoe Basin. California State Parks is currently conducting operations at Burton Creek State Park on Tahoe’s northwest shore and will continue over the next three weeks, weather permitting. Smoke may be visible. View map with project locations/details at https://www.tahoelivingwithfire.com/get-informed/ and sign-up for prescribed fire notifications by sending an email to pa_ltbmu@fs.fed.us.

Operation information:

What is being burned - Seven acres of hand piles

El Dorado County extends ban of all nonessential travel to Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The current order restricting travel into the Lake Tahoe Basin has been extended by the El Dorado County Public Health Officer Dr. Nancy Williams.

Originally set to expire on April 30, the ban's extension begins at 12:01 a.m. May 1.

The ban is for all nonessential travel into the El Dorado County portion of the Lake Tahoe Basin from outside the basin. Dr. Williams will review the current situation with local health care professionals at least every 14 days.

El Dorado County Supervisors send letter to Newsom asking for phased reopening

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - During their special meeting on Tuesday, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved sending a letter to Governor Newsom to allow a phased opening of some businesses and loosening restrictions on the public in El Dorado County.

Residents have responded to the closures by abiding by stay-in-place orders enacted to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Decision expected in May on status of major Lake Tahoe events

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - With formal events being canceled due to COVID-19 health concerns, there are two major summer events in Lake Tahoe that are still officially on the calendar. The holding of the American Century Championship (Celebrity Golf) and 4th of July Fireworks for this summer is expected to be determined mid-May.

Incline Village/Crystal Bay leaders announced their fireworks were going to be canceled earlier this month, but the Tahoe Douglas Visitors Authority (TDVA) board will be voting at their May meeting on the 2020 South Shore display.

El Dorado County lifts orders but California stay-at-home orders still in place

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - One layer of stay-at-home orders has been lifted for El Dorado County as its Public Health Officer, Dr. Nancy Williams, has lifted her stay-at-home directive effective April 30, the original date it was to be lifted when set on March 19.

This doesn't mean that South Lake Tahoe and the county are open for business though as the State's order is still in effect.

"We are requesting from the Governor that we [South Lake Tahoe] can move towards reopening in a phased approach with attention paid to his six guidelines," said South Lake Tahoe Mayor Jason Collin.

Roadwork schedule for Lake Tahoe and the Sierra for April 25-May 2

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) will work on projects through the Sierra, as weather permits this winter. There are no major projects going on in the Lake Tahoe Basin until the building season begins in May. The following is their weekly schedule:

Please remember to stay home except for essential needs.
California is under a Stay-at-Home Order and only essential travel is permitted.
~ Avoid travel ~ Stay-at-Home ~ Beat COVID-19 ~
Learn more at covid19.ca.gov
#StayHomeSaveLives

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities weekly tip: #5: Identify your home's ember vulnerabilities

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities is presenting their fifth "Tip of the Week," an ongoing series for the public since they are unable to perform their normal community outreach services. All tips are ways people can prepare for wildfire while staying at home.

Did you know embers are the leading cause of wildfire-related home ignitions?

Humboldt-Toiyabe: No camping in Alpine County, updates on forest use during pandemic

At the request of Alpine County in California, all Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest lands within the boundaries of the county will be temporarily closed to overnight camping starting on Saturday, April 25, 2020.

“We recognize that this overnight camping restriction comes at a time when many are seeking respite in natural areas,” said Forest Supervisor Bill Dunkelberger. “However, this temporary closure is to support state, county, and local authorities in controlling COVID-19 pandemic.”

Construction of new phases of South Tahoe Greenway Shared-Use Trail underway

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Work has begun on two phases of the 3.86-mile long South Tahoe Greenway Shared-Use Trail (Greenway) that will connect Sierra Boulevard in Tahoe Sierra Tract to the Van Sickle Bi-State Park near Stateline in South Lake Tahoe.

The project was approved in 2011 and 2016 and will provide users with a safe way to travel by non-motorized means off of the highway through the heart of South Lake Tahoe. The whole length will include neighborhood connectors and the ability to join the popular trail from the Y to past Baldwin Beach.

Full closure of US50 over Echo Summit planned for June

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Work on US50 over Echo Summit to replace an 81-year-old bridge has resumed. The $14.1 million Echo Summit Sidehill Viaduct Replacement Project will replace the bridge with a structure that meets current seismic and safety standards.

Travelers can expect daytime work with one-way reversing traffic now, with around-the-clock one-way traffic control from May 26 until May 31, then full closure from June 1 until about June 14.

Caltrans and its contractor expect work to be completed this year.

The current schedule:

Reopening plans underway for South Lake Tahoe once given the state and county go ahead

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In less than 90 days life has changed in South Lake Tahoe, California and the United States. The West caught up quickly to the novel coronavirus pandemic that was first contracted by a human in China on November 17, 2019.

Scientists and doctors pled for the public to stay home to keep the virus from spreading, and that plea worked better in some areas than others.

El Dorado County supervisors add $1,000 fine for vacation home rental use in Lake Tahoe Basin

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to issue citations to anyone violating the ban on nonessential travel in the Lake Tahoe Basin as it pertains to the use of vacation home rentals (VHRs).

Anyone found using a VHR is subject to a $1,000 fine per day of violation.

Series of webinars covering future of transportation in Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
April 20, 2020 - 12:00pm

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The public is invited to attend a series of webinars that will allow participants to explore the future of Lake Tahoe's transportation system through the Regional Transportation Plan. The plan outlines the projects and programs that will shape the next 20 years of Lake Tahoe’s transportation system.

The Regional Transportation Plan is the transportation vision for the Tahoe Basin. The plan focuses on transit, trails, technology, and communities to support the environment, economy, quality of life, and visitor experience.

Follow the links below to register:

Some annual events in South Lake Tahoe canceled or rescheduled due to coronavirus concerns

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - You can add the 27th annual Renaissance Festival to the list of event casualties brought about by the novel coronavirus. Add the 71st annual Highway 50 Wagon Train and two long-running events will be taking the year 2020 off.

Bring the outdoors in - learn to "Leave No Trace" from your quarantine space

Disconnect your child from the television and video games and plug them into the outdoors from the comfort of your home and backyard. Bring the outdoors into your home with the Tahoe Rim Trail Association’s new kid-friendly activities that teach important principles and outdoor stewardship.

County health officer sets the record straight about non-essential businesses and travel

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - Since California Governor Newsom issued "Shelter in Place" orders for the state on March 19, life changed for millions of people. What was once commonplace, changed overnight.

Navigating through what is essential and what is nonessential has been a struggle for many.

The El Dorado County Public Health Officer Dr. Nancy Williams created a statement Friday to reiterate business, activity and travel restrictions. She also said that she and county leaders may have to impose stricter limitations than imposed by the state should some current practices continue.

Tahoe Transportation District rolls out fare-free transit

STATELINE, Nev. - The Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) is rolling out zero-fare bus service on the South Shore starting Sunday, April 12.

While they already had plans in place for a free system to help eliminate traffic, the rollout is sooner than expected in order to make travel safer in response to COVID-19 by eliminating fare exchanges between drivers and riders.

It's okay - daily life looks different for everyone at this time

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It has been a few weeks (though it may seem like months) since business shut their doors, nonessential workers were asked to stay home and nonessential travel came to a screeching halt in order to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus and COVID-19.

South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting to address cell towers and housing workplan

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The City Council will hold their regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 14 starting at 9:00 a.m. with a closed session at 8:45 a.m.

This will be an online meeting that can be followed on Charter Channel 21 or via the City's website, https://cityofslt.us/. Remote public participation is allowed by email or phone (instructions below).

Barton Health community update: Medical Corps needed, 1300 masks made

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Working closely with state and county health agencies in a regional response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Barton Health is preparing for an anticipated patient surge by more than doubling its hospital bed capacity as well as expanding its facilities to accommodate patients who may be infected by the virus.

Lake Tahoe starts the week with snow and ends with a sunny and warming weekend

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A potent spring storm will continue to impact the Sierra tonight into Monday morning with periods of heavy snowfall and hazardous
travel. Cool and snowy/rainy conditions persist through Tuesday but chances will diminish as the low exits the region. High pressure then builds for the second half of the week with a drying and warming pattern expected heading into the weekend.

The weekly forecast from the National Weather Service in Reno:

El Dorado County health official orders end to all nonessential travel to Lake Tahoe Basin

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Those living in the Lake Tahoe Basin have experienced a large number of visitors and non-fulltime residents coming into the area, and today the El Dorado County Public Health Officer issued a no-travel order.

Dr. Nancy Williams issued the order to start immediately and will remain in place until April 30, 2020, unless extended or modified.

Douglas County to VHR owners and tourists: Do not rent homes, Do not visit at this time

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Consistent with directives issued by Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak, and the guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control, Douglas County is urging travelers and short-term rental owners/managers, to take this threat to our community seriously, act responsibly and refrain from renting vacation home properties to non-essential travelers at this time.

Seven confirmed cases of COVID-19 in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County has created a new dashboard for COVID-19 cases and it shows South Lake Tahoe leads all areas with confirmed cases.

There are 7 confirmed cases in the South Lake Tahoe region, 3 in Placerville, 4 in El Dorado Hills with the County's other 5 cases spread around the west slope.

797 people have been tested with 648 of those coming back negative for the virus. 130 are still pending.

Of the confirmed 19 cases:

9 - travel-related
1 - contact with a known case
6 - community-acquired
3 - cause under investigation

10 - male
9 - female

Winter Storm Watch in place for Lake Tahoe this weekend

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - What was originally forecast to be a sunny and mild weekend has changed into one that is calling for two different storms bringing heavy snow to the greater Lake Tahoe area.

Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities Weekly Tip: Make a Family Evacuation Plan

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Due to Stay at Home orders in place it may be several weeks before the Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities is able to do normal outreach, they are providing weekly tips on how to prepare for wildfire inside the home.

This Week's Tip: Make a Family Evacuation Plan

El Dorado County Stay at Home directive extended until April 30

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - El Dorado County Public Health Officer Dr. Nancy Williams today issued a directive extending the amount of time County residents are to remain at home except to engage in “essential activities.” The extension now goes to Thursday, April 30, 2020.

Residents are asked to stay in their homes as much as possible to prevent further spread of the coronavirus. Only essential business and essential travel is permissible by the order.

Tahoe Transportation District providing bus service during pandemic; Changes possible

STATELINE, Nev. – As the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly evolves, Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) continues to operate regular transit services for essential workers and services during the shelter-in-place order. TTD understands that public transportation is part of the community’s critical infrastructure and is committed to ensuring that transit services remain safe and reliable.

Stay at Home in South Lake Tahoe: Police and City addressing concerns

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Ever since Governor Newsom issued a 'Stay at Home' order on March 19, 2020, there has been confusion on what businesses are essential and what the public can and cannot do. The order was created to protect the health and well-being of all Californians and to establish consistency across the state in order to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Alpine County has first confirmed case of COVID-19

ALPINE COUNTY, Calif. - Today the Alpine County Health Department was notified of the first laboratory-confirmed case of the new coronavirus COVID-19 infection in an Alpine County resident. The individual is recovering at home and was never hospitalized.

Alpine County is located south of Lake Tahoe, has a population of 1,120 and is 743 square miles in size and includes Markleeville and Bear Valley.

An investigation has determined the person was exposed and acquired the infection in a location distant from Alpine County. This person and their household "have

Syndicate content